Interview & Contest: Elisabeth Staab

Jen: Today we welcome Elisabeth Staab to Romancing the Book. Elisabeth, please share a short bio with us.
Elisabeth: Elisabeth Staab still lives with her nose in a book and at least one foot in an imaginary world. She believes that all kinds of safe and sane love should be celebrated but she adores the fantasy-filled realm of paranormal romance the best. She lives in Northern Virginia with her family and one big scaredy cat, where she loves to spend time with good friends, go dancing, and sing off-key in her kitchen (when she isn’t making characters fall in love, that is).

Jen: Please tell us about your newest release and where the idea came from.
Elisabeth: Prince of Power is the story of Tyra, the vampire king’s half-sister, and Anton, who was born of the enemy wizard species. Wizards kill vampires, eat their hearts, and steal the powers. Bad mojo all the way around. In the previous book, King of Darkness, Tyra nearly died from overusing her magical powers. Anton was supposed to kidnap her for evil purposes but saves her life instead.

Jen: How do you remember ideas that come to you at odd times?
Elisabeth: Ohgawd. That’s so, so difficult. It’s always when you’re driving, or in the shower, or in the dentist chair, or hiking ten miles from civilization, and can’t possibly write something down. If I’m out somewhere I try to send myself a text message from my phone to my email. Then I hope I remember my crazy shorthand later. “Anton hits the floor, what did I mean by THAT?” And if I can’t text myself then I do my best to repeat whatever it is over and over in my head until I can write it down or whatever. So if you ever meet me and I seem distracted, that’s why. I’m trying to remember plot points!

Jen: Is there a genre you’d like to write? Is there one you’ll probably stay away from? Why?
Elisabeth: There are tons of genres I’d love to jump into. Dystopian, contemporary… I grew up reading mysteries, thrillers, horror…everything from Nancy Drew and Christopher Pike to Agatha Christie and Stephen King all while hiding under my covers so my parents wouldn’t know. So something along those lines, maybe. These days, so many things interest me and it’s a matter of finding time to pursue the ideas rattling in my brain.

I see Inspirational and YA as unlikely because I do prefer a dark, gritty writing style complete with adult themes, plot-appropriate erotic action, and salty four-letter words. But I suppose I should never say never. I once told my guidance counselor I never wanted to be an author. LOL!

Jen: How do you come up with characters names?
Elisabeth: It’s funny, going back to King of Darkness, some of the characters literally named themselves. Siddoh, one of the soldiers, told me his name the first time I saw him in a scene. As far as I know that name doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world. Anton, the hero of Prince of Power, also told me his name. Thad, the king in King of Darkness, I named after a former client who I felt shared many of Thad’s heroic traits—handsome, strong, and capable, but sensitive at the same time. Sometimes I go to the baby name book. It just depends on the situation.

Jen: What’s the most interesting comment you’ve received about your books?
Elisabeth: Wow, that’s tough, because I’ve received tons of really interesting feedback. One of my readers said she loved that the vampires all had superpowers, because it was like Heroes with fangs. So cool! I never would have thought of that, but I loved it, and she gave me permission to steal it! Also, in the world of the Yavn vampires, red wine has a special warm and fuzzy effect. I’ve heard from book clubs that they got together and drank red wine while they talked about King of Darkness! So, so awesome. I don’t even have the words.

Jen: What’s next for you?
Elisabeth: I’m currently working on prepping for the Olde City, New Blood con in February, and then Romantic Times in May! I love, love going to cons.

I’m also working on book three of the Chronicles of Yavn, Hunter by Night. Book three features everyone’s favorite human-hating BAMF (Badass MotherF*cker), Lee, and the only human who currently exists in the series, Alexia (of course, right?). Their story will be out in January of 2014.

Thanks for the interview and love how you shared a bit of your writing “process”…reminds me sometimes I can’t read my own writing 🙂
I do like shifters and vampires. They’re both sort of primal and insanely strong. Shifters really have some of that “animal magnetism” and usually very “family/pack oriented” so there’s also the protective aspect. Vampires are mysterious and strong/powerful and immortal…sort of the seductive dark speaking out to you.
Congrats on your new release..I’ll go check this and your other works!
Happy 2013!

I love vampires. I have always loved them. Even when I was little. I don’t know why. I always wanted to read and watch everything to do with vampires. Hey what’s not to like about them!!! Thanks for sharing I really enjoyed it.

I find it hard to choose because I love them all wen I’m reading their story. 🙂 But I do have a favorite in Fallen Angels and shifters. The Angels because they are so deeply emotional when they fall in love and they have all that innocence alog with the bad boy that caused them to fall.
Thanks for the post.
Carol L

Hands down my favorite fantasy/paranormal being has ALWAYS been Vampires. I loved them back when I was watching “The Lost Boys” and “Fright Night” back in the 80’s. Stephanie Meyer just broke the Vampire’s out of their normal restrictions and proved that Vampires no longer had to cower in the dark but could be let loose in the daytime and still be scary (i.e. The Volturi). I LOVE never knowing what type of Vampire I am reading about. That gives every Vampire story new life for me.

Thanks for sharing this awesome author!! I have always loved vampires but I do have a soft spot for shifters…so I have to say my fave fantasy character(s) is a tie between vampires and shifters. The reason is because I love the fact that these characters are half human and half other…and the other half has an animal magnetisim (literally!) that makes the characters wild, untamed and very sexy!

I have no favorite because whatever I’m reading at the time becomes my favorite. Almost all paranormal beings that are the main characters are strong, loyal, handsome and all around yummy so I love them all :). Thank you.

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